Two reasons to be discouraged

Giants fans had at least two reasons to be discouraged Sunday: S.F. missed a chance to win a series at home against a sub-.500 team (the Phillies) and the Giants’ bullpen scuffled mightily for a second straight day.

What truly should concern Giants fans, though, is the health of second baseman Ray Durham. He left the game in the sixth inning with a jammed right shoulder. In the second, he homered, his eighth home run in his past 18 games. Durham has 14 HRs this season and is hitting .265. That average might not sound great, but considering he was hitting .239 at the end of June, it represents a marked improvement.

Lacy Atkins/The Chronicle

Bobby Abreu slides into second as Ray awaits the throw.

When healthy, Durham is an excellent offensive player. He’s not much of a base stealer anymore (four SBs this season), but he’s a switch-hitter with power. Moises Alou, Barry Bonds and Durham comprise an impressive middle of the order — although the “when healthy” caveat applies to all three men.

Moreover, the Giants don’t have many options to replace Durham. Jose Vizcaino (.229, 1 HR, 4 RBIs in 105 at-bats) is the only backup middle infielder on the roster. Kevin Frandsen, who’s with Triple-A Fresno, didn’t distinguish himself in his 62 at-bats (.210, 0 HRs, 3 RBIs) with the big club.

The Giants — and their fans — have to hope Durham’s shoulder injury doesn’t sideline him too long, or their discouraging Sunday will become much more discouraging.